Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'South Pacific' hits the stage at SIU

Prepare for an "enchanted evening" this Friday night as the classic musical "South Pacific" comes to Shryock Auditorium.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11 at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $26 with a $6 discount for children 15 and younger.

Set on an island paradise during World War II, "South Pacific" features two parallel love stories that are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. One is the story of a May-December romance between French planter Emile de Becque and Nellie Forbush, a young American nurse. When Nellie learns that Emile has two children by a Polynesian woman, she cannot overlook the prejudices she was raised to believe and refuses his marriage proposal.

Meanwhile, Lt. Joe Cable denies his love for a young Tonkinese girl because of the same fears as Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Cable on a dangerous mission that claims Cable's life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her chance for happiness, therefore conquering her prejudice.

The musical, based on the book "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener, was first produced at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949. It featured Mary Martin as Nellie and marked the Broadway debut of Metropolitan Opera basso Ezio Pinza. The production ran for 1,925 performances, making it the second longest running musical of the decade.

"South Pacific" has won many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical in 1949, nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Book and Score and nine Donaldson Awards including Best Musical, Book, Lyrics and Score. The film version, featuring Mitzi Gaynor and Rosanno Brazzi, won an Academy Award in 1958.

The Broadway classic features an unforgettable score of enduring standards such as "Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali Ha'i," "A Wonderful Guy," and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair."

Composer Richard Rodgers first teamed up with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II for "Oklahoma!" marking the beginning of the most successful partnership in Broadway history. The team went on the produce such hits as "Carousel," "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music." Collectively, their work together earned 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes, two Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. The duo was also cited by Time Magazine and CBS News among the 20 most influential artists of the 20th century.

"South Pacific" is a timeless classic that reflects the issues in the world today, dealing with man's prejudice and the anxious feelings that accompany war. Even 54 years after its debut, the show is still being performed and is relevant to audiences around the globe.

"South Pacific" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11 at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $26 for adults and $20 for children 15 and younger. To charge by phone, call the box office at 453-2787.